Critics will argue the Devils overpaid Schneider, and there’s some validity to that claim. He’s only been an NHL starter for two seasons, both in the shadow of established veterans (Roberto Luongo in Vancouver during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, Martin Brodeur last season with the Devils.

While Schneider’s won-loss record last season was average (16-15-12 in 45 games), it was more a reflection of the team in front of him than of his overall performance. His goals-against average was a stellar 1.97 while his save percentage was a solid .921.

At 28, Schneider has established himself as an NHL starter, though it’ll be interesting to see how he handles a significantly-increased workload with the Devils going forward. Still, he has expressed a keenness for more playing time, and he’ll certainly get it in the coming years in New Jersey. He also has to deal with replacing a legend, as Brodeur was the Devils starter for nearly two decades, backstopping them to three Stanley Cup championships. Still, Devils fans seem to be handling that transition well, acknowledging that Brodeur no longer has it as a starting goalie while Schneider is entering his playing prime.

The contract is expensive, but that’s what was necessary to keep Schneider with the Devils. He was slated for unrestricted free agency next summer and would’ve received at least that much on the open market.

4 Comments

Jes
on July 9, 2014 at 9:23 pm

No idea how Crawford makes as much as he did.

That’s a lot of money on a goalie for a team that really doesn’t have any talent anywhere.

Shticky
on July 9, 2014 at 9:36 pm

I think this desl stinks of desperation by Lou,
1. Money seems high gor a guy who has never played more than 45 games
2. Has Lou been a sleep for the past decade? Louongo Ward Dipetro Pavlec Bryzgalov Miller etc. goalies with bad contracts can be like herpes you will never get rid of them when or if things go south, Why lock a goalie up like that for 7 years.

Sean
on July 9, 2014 at 10:25 pm

Yea…this has nothing to do with the fact he has the best Save % in the league since 2012…and a sub 2.00 GAA that last three years too…If the Devils build around a goalie like him with the defense they have in their system, they can certainly compete in a wide open East.

Shticky
on July 10, 2014 at 12:29 am

A goalies game can go down hill pretty quickly ask Bryzgalov or Cam Ward remeber him? How bout how Mason looked for about a year snd a hslf in Columbus till he fell apart for a year or 2 and needed a fresh start…. not sure its wise to lock any goalie up like that for 7 years. Its not a knock on Schneider, its just not that unusual fro a goalie to lose his game even tho he looked great for a period of time. Whats Schneider going to look like after 65 games, is he the same the guy who has only played 45 once so far in the nhl?

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